Used car guide

2001 Mazda Premacy: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mazda Premacy first registered in 2001: we looked at the 139 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 139 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

139MOTs of 2001 cars, done in 2023–2025
44%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 60%)
4,200typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Mazda Premacy?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Mazda Premacy than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.9× usual
    Mazda Premacy
    22.3% All 2001 cars
    7.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 13.7%, against 4.1% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2001 Mazda Premacy MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 Mazda Premacy MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    65% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    46% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    41% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    37% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Rust and bodywork
    18% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    15% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 Mazda Premacy

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2001 Mazda Premacy as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mazda Premacy?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Mazda Premacy compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2004152Suspension 59%
2003–Too few tests
2002–Too few tests
2000–Too few tests
1999–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Mazda Premacy cars first registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score